Brewer rejects guns on campus

University officials and students are cheering a surprise veto from Gov. Jan Brewer, who on Monday refused to sign into law a bill that would have allowed guns on university and community-college campuses.

Higher-education officials had lobbied heavily against Senate Bill 1467, saying it would lead to potentially dangerous situations.

In her veto letter, Brewer - typically a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and gun rights - called the bill "poorly written" and said it lacked clarity.

"Bills impacting our Second Amendment rights have to be crystal clear so that gun owners don't become lawbreakers by accident," Brewer said.

The measure, sponsored by Sen. Ron Gould, R-Lake Havasu City, would have required community colleges and universities to allow both concealed and openly carried weapons in their public rights of way, which would likely include public roads and adjacent sidewalks.

But it didn't clearly define "right of way," which Brewer cited as an example of the bill's lack of clarity.

The governor also questioned the use of "educational institution" throughout the bill, which she said could be construed to mean applying to K-12 schools, conflicting with existing state and federal statutes that prohibit weapons on those school grounds.

Gould said he was surprised by the aggressive nature of the governor's statement.

"I thought it was a very rude veto letter," Gould said, adding that he thought "her spin on it . . . is a stretch." He was referring to her remarks about how it couldpotentially affect K-12 schools.

Faculty organizations at all three of Arizona's public universities passed resolutions opposing SB 1467, and campus law enforcement testified against it.

"Guns have no place in schools," Arizona State University President Michael Crow said when asked about the legislation at a recent student forum on ASU's Polytechnic campus.

Crow, University of Arizona President Robert Shelton and Northern Arizona University President John Haeger wrote a letter to the governor asking her to veto the legislation.

Haeger on Monday said that if signed into law, the legislation would have had a "chilling effect" on the university's intellectual climate. The veto helps protect the safety of faculty, staff and students, he said.

"We are very grateful for the governor's action," he said. Crow and Shelton also released statements on Monday thanking the governor for her veto.

"Because of (the governor's) veto, the universities can focus on their core mission of providing a high-quality education to students without the distraction of the increased opportunities for violence Senate Bill 1467 would have allowed."

Brewer's office was inundated with calls about the bill.

From April 7 to April 13, the Governor's Office of Constituent Services received 904 calls, letters and faxes in support of SB 1467 and 951 in opposition to it, a Brewer spokeswoman said.

Previously, the governor has signed bills allowing gun owners to carry concealed weapons without a permit and legislation allowing guns into bars or restaurants that serve alcohol.

Supporters of SB 1467 said the bill would have improved campus safety and solved the problem of gun owners finding themselves in violation of campus regulations by simply driving through campus on a public right of way with a gun in the car. State statute already allows guns on city streets, sidewalks and other public rights of way.

"College students will continue to be in a defense-free zone," Gould said Monday.

Students, though, worried that allowing guns would increase the risk of violence, said Michael Wong, a 20-year-old junior and vice president of policy for ASU Tempe's Undergraduate Student Government.

The legislation would have created a host of security issues the university would have to consider, including the possibility of metal detectors and gun racks, said ASU University Senate President Gary Grossman.

"We've seen what happens when guns and university campuses mix. It's not pretty. We were concerned about more chances for those things to occur," Grossman said.

Brewer has until midnight Thursday to act on Senate Bill 1201, also known as the firearms "omnibus" bill. That bill would require state and local governments to either allow guns in public facilities or secure those buildings with metal detectors and armed guards.

The measure applies to government-owned pools, libraries, community centers and offices. It does not apply to privately sponsored events such as professional sports games or concerts held at multipurpose facilities, even if the facilities are a public-private partnership.